India Shot Down Pakistan Aircraft, Our One Pilot is Missing in Action: Indian Govt

| Onkareshwar Pandey -
27 Feb 2019

Indian Observer Post

New Delhi, Feb 27, 2019: A day after Indian Air Force engaged in a non-military attack in Balakot, around 80 km from the Line of Control, that destroyed a Jaish-a-Mohammed camp which was was home and training centre to over 300 terrorists, two Pakistan aircraft ventured into the Indian airspace and dropped some bombs. Indian Air Force got into action swiftly and shot down a Pakistan F-16 with MiG 21 Bison.

While both countries accepted aerial combat, none accepted any casualties till late in the day. The Indian government released an official statement later in the day in which it accepted that there was aerial combat after Pakistan dropped bombs near India’s military installation. In the combat, a Pakistani aircraft was shot down, which fell on the Pakistan’s side. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also confirmed that India lost on MiG 21 and one pilot was missing in action.

"The Pakistan Air Force was detected and the Indian Air Force responded instantly. In that aerial engagement, one Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft was shot down by a MiG 21 Bison of the Indian Air Force. The Pakistani aircraft was seen by ground forces falling from the sky on the Pakistan side. In this engagement, we have unfortunately lost one MiG 21. The pilot is missing in action. Pakistan has claimed that he is in their custody. We are ascertaining the facts," said the spokesperson.

About the aerial combat, Pakistan, in its statement, said "This was not retaliation to continued Indian belligerence. Pakistan has, therefore, taken strikes at the non-military target, avoiding human loss and collateral damage. Sole purpose is to demonstrate our right, will and capability for self-defence. We have no intention of escalation but are fully prepared to do so if forced into that paradigm. That is why we undertook the action with a clear warning and in broad daylight."

However, this is contrary to Pakistan’s action. They dropped bombs near Indian military installations, which amounts to actions involving and instigating militaries from both sides. India’s attack, on the other hand, ensured there were no military targets and no civilian casualties. It was completely aimed at the terror camp that nurtured the terrorists who executed the Pulwama attack on Feb 14 in which over 40 CRPF jawans were killed.

Earlier in the day, airspace across north India was shut down. However, the order to shut down the airports and airspace was called off. Pakistan, on the other hand, has closed its airspace.

A day after Indian Air Force engaged in a non-military attack in Balakot, around 80 km from the Line of Control, that destroyed a Jaish-a-Mohammed camp which was was home and training centre to over 300 terrorists, two Pakistan aircraft ventured into the Indian airspace and dropped some bombs. Indian Air Force got into action swiftly and shot down a Pakistan F-16 with MiG 21 Bison.

While both countries accepted aerial combat, none accepted any casualties till late in the day. The Indian government released an official statement later in the day in which it accepted that there was aerial combat after Pakistan dropped bombs near India’s military installation. In the combat, a Pakistani aircraft was shot down, which fell on the Pakistan’s side. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also confirmed that India lost on MiG 21 and one pilot was missing in action.

"The Pakistan Air Force was detected and the Indian Air Force responded instantly. In that aerial engagement, one Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft was shot down by a MiG 21 Bison of the Indian Air Force. The Pakistani aircraft was seen by ground forces falling from the sky on the Pakistan side. In this engagement, we have unfortunately lost one MiG 21. The pilot is missing in action. Pakistan has claimed that he is in their custody. We are ascertaining the facts," said the spokesperson.

About the aerial combat, Pakistan, in its statement, said "This was not retaliation to continued Indian belligerence. Pakistan has, therefore, taken strikes at the non-military target, avoiding human loss and collateral damage. Sole purpose is to demonstrate our right, will and capability for self-defence. We have no intention of escalation but are fully prepared to do so if forced into that paradigm. That is why we undertook the action with a clear warning and in broad daylight."

However, this is contrary to Pakistan’s action. They dropped bombs near Indian military installations, which amounts to actions involving and instigating militaries from both sides. India’s attack, on the other hand, ensured there were no military targets and no civilian casualties. It was completely aimed at the terror camp that nurtured the terrorists who executed the Pulwama attack on Feb 14 in which over 40 CRPF jawans were killed.

Earlier in the day, airspace across north India was shut down. However, the order to shut down the airports and airspace was called off. Pakistan, on the other hand, has closed its airspace.

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